Firenze card or Amici degli Uffizi?

Posted by emaupin on 06/03/14 09:04 PM

We will be in Florence in July for a week. To my mind it doesn't make too much sense to buy the Firenze Card (144 euros for both of us) because we'll be going to museums and churches at least five of those days, and the card is only good for 72 hours.

Would it be good for us to buy the Amici degli Uffizi card? That one is 100 euros for both of us. It does seem that some churches and museums aren't covered on it. We are big art-lovers and will go to the Uffizi at least twice if we can, along with all of the major churches and other museums.

Can anyone help?

Posted by Casey

Rick Steves' Europe

06/03/14 11:12 PM

77 posts

We recommend the Firenze Card because it covers the most of our favorite sights and is designed for tourists. As a one-year membership card, the Amici degli Uffizi card is something a lot of residents or students will get since they have an extended stay. However, if you see all the sights you're interested in are covered by the Amici degli Uffizi membership (see the list of covered sights - the Uffizi and state museums - at http://www.amicidegliuffizi.it/diventa_socio.php?pg=8&ln=en), there's no problem in getting it since it is more affordable and offers more time. The two passes cover many of the same sights, but one notable difference is that the Amici degli Uffizi doesn't cover the Duomo sights or the Medici-Riccardi Palace, like the Firenze Card does (which if you paid for in addition to having the Amici membership would end up being about the same price as a Firenze Card). Another difference is that while the Firenze Card allows free admission only one time, the Amici degli Uffizi allows for re-entry as you please.

Posted by Sherry

San Jose, CA

06/03/14 11:56 PM

1994 posts

I strongly recommend joining Amici degli Uffizi. I do that each time I visit Florence, and it is a wonderful treat to be able to drop in for visits anytime I want. It covers all the state museums, and if you really love spending time with favorite art, I think it's a much better solution than the Florence card since it allows multiple visits. You will need to pay for some other sites, but they're not ones with long lines or high fees.

If I might mention a couple of other favorite museums, the convent of San Marco is wonderful if you like the art of Fra Angelico, and the Bargello has an amazing collection of sculpture in a really fascinating building.

Posted by emaupin OP

06/04/14 01:29 AM

9 posts

Thanks so much to both of you. I lean toward the Amici membership since we'll be there a whole week. But you have both given me info to think about.

We definitely will be going to San Marco and to the Bargello. We have been to Florence a couple of times before and have loved those places. But it's been a long time, and I think some of these admissions cards are new since our last trip.